MEMO: Labour Inspectorate 2026: Annual Plan at a glance

The Netherlands Labour Inspectorate has published its 2026 Annual Plan. In this memo, we outline the key priorities and supervision focus areas.

Introduction

During the Industrial Annual Congress in January 2026, the Director of the Netherlands Labour Inspectorate (NLA) was one of the speakers. In his contribution, he explained the current vision of the NLA:

• a consistent focus on prevention,

• learning from incidents, and

• strengthening the safety culture within organisations.

This direction forms the context for the 2026 Annual Plan, in line with the international Vision Zero approach.
Although the NLA does not link a specific target year to the ambition of fully reducing fatal occupational accidents, recent annual reports explicitly refer to Vision Zero: the international safety strategy aimed at achieving zero fatal and serious occupational accidents through structural prevention, learning from incidents and strengthening the safety culture.

Facts about occupational accidents in the Netherlands

• In 2024, more than 3,200 occupational accidents were reported, 52 of which were fatal.
• In the first half of 2025, 40 fatal occupational accidents had already occurred, a concerning increase according to the NLA.
• Many occupational accidents are still not reported, meaning the actual figures are higher.

Vision Zero is therefore a necessary starting point. This applies in particular to high-risk sectors such as inland shipping, where work involves physical strain, machinery safety, hazardous substances (especially in tanker shipping) and working conditions with an increased risk of accidents.

Approach of the Netherlands Labour Inspectorate in 2026

The supervision of the NLA is risk-based and responsive. The inspectorate focuses on areas where risks are greatest and actively responds to signals, reports and complaints from society.

In 2026, the NLA aims to achieve this through three main tracks.

1. Active supervision: programmatic approach

To effectively respond to labour risks and societal developments, the NLA works programmatically. In the period 2023–2026, eleven supervision programmes have been established. For each programme, it has been determined where the focus will lie in 2026 and which interventions will be deployed to reduce unfair, unsafe and unhealthy work.

The 11 supervision programmes

1. Labour exploitation and serious disadvantage;

2. Temporary employment agencies;

3. Migration schemes, international issues, sham constructions and collective labour agreement compliance;

4. Supervision SUWI (Structure for the Implementation of Work and Income) and Social Domain Supervision;

5. Psychosocial workload, labour discrimination and physical workload;

6. Asbestos and ionising radiation;

7. Exposure to hazardous substances;

8. Major Hazard Control;

9. Certification and market surveillance;

10. Good employment practices in sectors and chains;

11. Trends and developments.

Several programmes directly affect the inland shipping sector:

• Hazardous substances and Major Hazard Control: increased attention to exposure to hazardous substances in general, gas measurement, confined spaces, vapours and emissions.
• Physical strain and PSA: applicable to deck work, engine rooms, long working hours and small crew sizes.
• Certification and market surveillance: inspection of lifting equipment, work equipment, PPE and technical installations on board.
• Collective labour agreement compliance and migration schemes: relevant due to international crews and risks of unfair working conditions.

In 2026, the inland shipping sector can expect more targeted inspections of the quality of the RI&E and the Plan of Action, safe working procedures and technical safety on board.

2. Supervision based on reports

Handling signals, complaints, reports and requests remains a core task of the NLA.

I. Accident investigation and reporting compliance

Since 2023, employers may in most cases investigate occupational accidents themselves and draw up an improvement plan. The NLA encourages this, but in 2026 will also increase its focus on:

• correct application of the reporting obligation;
• quality of employer investigations;
• actual follow-up of improvement measures.

For inland shipping, this means for example:

• additional focus on accidents during manoeuvring, various activities in the engine room, loading/unloading. In some cases, this also involves cooperation with multiple supervisory authorities, such as ILT.
• emphasis on structurally learning from incidents instead of ad-hoc solutions.

II. Occupational health management, employee involvement and Arbocatalogues

Occupational health management as an ongoing process

The NLA will continue to intensively supervise occupational health and safety policies. In 2026, the focus will be on the Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E). The NLA aims to pay more attention to the quality of the RI&E and the Plan of Action, which forms part of the overall policy. The focus lies on the quality of the RI&E and whether it is up to date, contains sector-specific risks and is integrated into business operations.

Employee involvement

The NLA encourages active employee involvement in improvements. In inland shipping, this requires additional attention due to “small-scale” crews and high workload.

Arbocatalogues

The use of Arbocatalogues remains an important instrument. For the inland shipping sector, industry agreements must result in practical and workable measures. As a sector, inland shipping should therefore pay attention to updating the Arbocatalogues (currently dating from 2012, https://www.arbo-binnenvaart.nl/arbo-handreiking).

III. Investigation service

The investigation service focuses on labour exploitation, human smuggling, fraud and criminal occupational accidents. For inland shipping companies, this means:

• greater attention to fair contracts, correct payment and working hours;
• supervision of international crews and risks of exploitation;
• joint inspections with ILT.

Conclusion and outlook

The approach in 2026 fully aligns with the principles of Vision Zero. This has direct consequences for sectors with elevated risks, such as transport sectors including inland shipping. The mission remains unchanged: fair, healthy and safe work and security of livelihood for everyone.

If you have any questions regarding the above topics such as the annual plan, your RI&E, working with hazardous substances or the Arbocatalogues for inland shipping, please feel free to contact us. We are at your service as your safety adviser.